The init-definition used in the
variable-definition
option of DEFINE DATA
LOCAL
, DEFINE DATA
INDEPENDENT
, DEFINE
DATA CONTEXT
and DEFINE DATA OBJECT
has the
following syntax:
<constant> | ||
<system-variable> | ||
FULL
LENGTH <character-s>
|
||
LENGTH
n <character-s> |
This document covers the following topics:
For an explanation of the symbols used in the syntax diagram, see Syntax Symbols.
With the init-definition option, you define the initial/constant values for a variable.
Note:
If, in the variable-definition
option, the keyword INIT
was used for the initialization, the value may be modified by any statement
that affects the content of a variable. If the keyword
CONST
was used for the
initialization, any attempt to change the value will be rejected by the
compiler.
See also Defining Fields, Initial Values in the Programming Guide.
For a redefined field, an init-definition is not permitted.
<constant> | The constant value with which the variable is to be initialized; or the constant value to be assigned to the field. For further information on constants, see User-Defined Constants in the Programming Guide. |
---|---|
<system-variable> | The initial value for a variable may also be the value of a
Natural system variable. Example:
DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 #MYDATE (D) INIT <*DATX> END-DEFINE Note: |
As initial value, a variable can be filled, entirely or partially, with a specific single character or string of characters; this is only possible for alphanumeric (code page or Unicode) variables. With the DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 #FIELD (A25) INIT FULL LENGTH <'*'> END-DEFINE With the DEFINE DATA LOCAL 1 #FIELD (A25) INIT LENGTH 4 <'!'> END-DEFINE |